Up, up, and away... The fighter jet which literally gets off to a flying start thanks to a mighty machine
 

Even an awesome fighter jet needs a lift to get off the ground once in a while, and fortunately this twin-engine CH-47 Chinook helicopter gets it in the air effortlessly.

This picture, taken in Nevada last week, demonstrates that while the U.S economy might be in tatters the Air Force till has the power to impress.

This incredible F-15A Eagle jet was without engine and needed to be transported to nearby Creech AFB Air Force base in Indian Springs, Clark County, Nevada.
 

The fighter jet is taken to its new base some 45 minutes away

The mighty, 98ft Chinook hovered low while technical experts at the Nellis Air Force Base attached enormous slings to the Eagle jet, in preparation for its 45-minute journey.

However, the engineless Eagle is destined to stay grounded and will become a training aid for the fire department's pilot rescue team.

Senior Master Sergeant Steven Fuentes said the lift provided some logistical complications.

The Chinook begins to lift the engineless fighter jet into the air

The sergeant, who is  a 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit lead production superintendent, said: 'First, the aircraft had to be removed from the regular flying schedule, which meant less aircraft to support the training mission.'

'Second, we had to provide maintainers to go up to Creech to ensure aircraft turn-around, which meant less people on the Nellis flight line.  

'Third, 57th Wing Operations had to provide a pilot.  

'Last but not least, if the aircraft had maintenance problems, we would have to provide a team to go recover the aircraft.'

Slings are attached to a CH-47 Chinook in preparation for its airlift of an F-15A Eagle to nearby Creech air base in Nevada

While assigned to the 57th Wing, the non-flying fighter was used to support training by the United States Air Force Weapons School, Sergeant Fuentes said.

'To be used as a trainer for the fire department at Creech, the fighter was reconfigured to ensure the safety for its new role and also safety during its airlift to Creech,' Captain Sean T. Scruggs said.
'This included the removal of more than 50 components, which brought the aircraft's weight down to less than £18,000.' 

The Chinook, which can lift 26,000 lbs and can go at 196 mph, is from the 1st of the 189th Aviation Company at Reno, Nevada.  

Based on operational experience in Afghanistan, the CH-47 was found to be an effective substitute for the sleek UH-60 Black Hawk as an assault helicopter.

The F-15E Strike Eagle, superior fighter is an all-weather aerial assault vehicle that entered service in 1989.